Ben Pascua (D): State Representative, District 48, Kaneohe

Residence: How long you’ve lived in the district: Grew up in the district.

Background: I have spent eight years defending our country and our nation; I am now running for office because I want to protect traditional families and the wallets of traditional families.

Major issues: What are the biggest issue in your district/state and your proposed solutions? The big issues are jobs, the economy and ensuring bills like HB444 that don’t represent the will of the people never arise again.

Budget philosophy: What is your budget philosophy? Do you foresee increases in revenue through tax hikes and fees or do you believe in cutting spending? If our average family has to live on a budget, why can’t government? I would not support a bill that would increase taxes on working families making life harder in Hawaii.

Taxes and fees: Do you believe Hawaii’s taxes should be lowered or increased? If you do plan to raise taxes and fees, which specific taxes or fees would you increase? Or would you sign a pledge that says you will not raise taxes? I have already signed a pledge where I promised not to increase taxes.

Rail: If the city has difficulty raising enough revenue for the rail, would you support state tax support for the rail project? No, why should the State raise taxes for a project that will only benefit one county? Plain and simple if you don’t have the money now then don’t spend it. If the city can’t afford to pay for the rail then though luck for the city.

Legalized Gambling: Do you believe gambling should be legalized in Hawaii in any form and if so, in what form? I don’t stand for legalized gambling.

Public Education: What are your plans to support the public education system while ensuring accountability and results for our students? Do you support an appointed or elected school board? In regards to appointed or elected school boards, I am currently undecided. In regards to education I stand for campus empowerment and allowing parents and families to choose where their child goes to school rather than having government decide for them, by according to which zip code they live in.

Economic Growth: What are your plans to promote long-term economic growth for Hawaii? Plain and simple: Let’s cut the taxes and keep them low which will create an incentive to work, an incentive to invest and an incentive for an entrepreneur to innovate. An economic rule of thumb, the more you tax the less you get. Less taxes means more money in your wallet. The more money that you have in your wallet, the more money you have for groceries and the more money that you have to donate to your favorite charities.

Currently the way our tax system works is that the more money you make the more money government takes. We need a tax system that discourages consumption but encourages production.

Crime: What is your solution to making Oahu a safer place to live and visit?

Citizens have the right to protect themselves in the absence of law enforcement and measures need to be taken to make a career in law enforcement more attractive.

Second Amendment: Would you support concealed carry or more freedom for law abiding firearms owners, do you feel the current laws should remain in place, or do you believe stricter gun laws should be in place? I support right to carry legislation and more freedom for law abiding firearms owners.

Homeless: What is your solution to homelessness? The Sarah Dome Project sounds like a great idea.

Compact with Micronesia: Micronesians are able to freely move to Hawaii, which they are doing in large numbers to take advantage of the public education system, medical services and other government benefits. But the governor and other public officials say they are taxing Hawaii’ss resources and costing the state more than $100 million a year. This is a federal decision, but would you share your view on whether the Compact with Micronesia should remain in place, should there be some parameters put on the Compact or do you have other solutions? Currently undecided.

Akaka Bill: What is your position on the Akaka Bill? Do you believe it will unite or divide Hawaii? What is your vision for how the Akaka Bill will change Hawaii? Currently Undecided

Jones Act: Opponents of the federal Jones Act say it increases the cost of living in Hawaii through a shipping duopoly while supporters say it is needed to ensure port security and American jobs. While this is a federal decision, would you share your view on whether you support an exemption for Hawaii from the Jones Act or should it remain in place? I don’t believe in protectionism. And we have law enforcement agencies that can perform the job of port security.

Endorsements you would like to list: Hawaii Right to Life / Aloha Family Alliance